Apparatus for Applying Corrective Forces to Shape Palate

ABSTRACT

An orthodontic apparatus for installation in a patient&#39;s mouth is disclosed. The orthodontic apparatus includes a first extension wire, a second extension wire, and a palatal archwire. Each of the first and second extension wires includes a proximal portion and a distal portion. The proximal and distal portions and the palatal archwire are manipulatable to apply corrective buccal, labial, and transverse forces on the patient&#39;s dento-alveolar complex (DAC), to correct the shape of the patient&#39;s palate.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation application claiming priorityunder 35 U.S.C. §120 to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/233,283filed Sep. 15, 2011, which is hereby incorporated by reference in itsentirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to methods and devices for applying correctiveforces within a patient's mouth, and more particularly to applyingtransverse, buccal, and labial forces to correct a patient's palate byuse of a shaping device.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

A palatal arch expander assembly is described in U.S. Pat. No.5,816,800. And various palatal and other orthodontic devices areavailable commercially from various sources such as an orthodonticlaboratory in Park Rapids, Minn. known as NorthStar Orthodontics, Inc.NorthStar Orthodontics provides, for example, the Porter Arch and theQuad Helix Expander.

A palatal expander is also known as a rapid palatal expander, a rapidmaxillary expansion appliance, a palate expander, or an orthodonticexpander. A palatal expander is used to expand the palate of a patientapart to allow the upper jaw to widen. Although the use of an expanderis most common in children, it can be and has selectively been used inadults. In widening the upper jaw of the patient, the known expanderscan result in physical separation of the upper jaw and can also resultin a large gap between the patient's upper two front teeth.

Since the palate as a bone (the palatine processes) serves as the roofof the oral cavity as well as the floor of the nasal cavity, asignificant consequence of the known expanders is that they can alterthe anatomical relationship between the oral cavity and the nasalcavity. These known expanders can result in the functional disruption ofthe palatine processes as the anatomical barrier, causing communicationbetween these cavities. Patients may experience pressure, pain, andheadaches while wearing palatal expanders. Braces typically are used tostraighten all or some of the patient's teeth after an expander has beenused to widen the patient's upper jaw.

SUMMARY

The invention relates to orthodontic devices and methods for applyingcorrective forces within a patient's dentitions and bones known as thedento-alveolar complex (DAC) to, for example, correct the shape of thepatient's palate as the geometric configuration into a propermorphologic anatomical structure of a human mouth. The patient can be amale or female human of almost any age.

The palate shaper of the invention moves teeth as one unit of the DACinto the ideal shape of human dental arch; therefore shaping thealveolar bones and palatine processes which increases the parameter ofthe dental arch. Thus, this orthodontic shaping device has little or noeffect on the mid-palatine suture, rarely resulting in clinical symptomsof pressure, pain, headaches, or a gap between the upper two frontteeth. There is little or no anatomical disruption between the oral andnasal cavities.

In one aspect, the invention relates to an orthodontic apparatus forinstallation in a patient's mouth. The apparatus includes a firstextension wire, a second extension wire, and a palatal archwire. Thefirst extension wire includes a proximal portion and a distal portion.The proximal portion of the first extension wire extends from a rightattachment member and is manipulatable to apply a corrective buccalforce on the upper right posterior DAC within the patient's palate whenthe apparatus is installed in the patient's mouth. The distal portion ofthe first extension wire extends from the proximal portion and ismanipulatable to apply a corrective labial force on the upper anteriorDAC and selectively a corrective buccal force on some upper leftposterior DAC within the patient's palate when the apparatus isinstalled in the patient's mouth. The distal portion of the firstextension wire terminates at a distal end. When the apparatus isinstalled, the distal end of the first extension is in the opposite sideof the palate from the proximal portion of the first extension wire,adjacent to the proximal portion of the s second extension wire. Thesecond extension wire includes a proximal portion and a distal portion.The proximal portion of the second extension wire extends from a leftattachment member and is manipulatable to apply a corrective buccalforce on the upper left posterior DAC within the patient's palate whenthe apparatus is installed in the patient's mouth. The distal portion ofthe second extension wire extends from the proximal portion of thesecond extension wire and is manipulatable to apply a corrective labialforce on the upper anterior DAC and selectively a corrective buccalforce on some right posterior DAC within the patient's palate when theapparatus is installed in the patient's mouth. The distal portion of thesecond extension wire terminates at a distal end, which, when installed,is in the opposite side of the palate from the proximal portion of thesecond extension wire; adjacent to the proximal portion of the firstextension wire. The palatal archwire includes a right portion, a middleportion, and a left portion. The right portion extends from a right sideof the middle portion to the right attachment member. The left portionextends from a left side of the middle portion to the left attachmentmember. The middle portion includes a generally M-shaped configurationthat comprises a left loop, a middle loop, and a right loop. Each of theleft and right loops includes a generally inverted U-shapedconfiguration. The middle loop includes a generally inverted Ω-shapedconfiguration. The middle portion is disposed between the first andsecond extension wires and a horizontal axis extending through each ofthe right and left attachment members. When installed in a patient'spalate, the middle portion of the palatal archwire is disposed withinthe patient's palate. The palatal archwire is manipulatable to apply acorrective transverse force on either or both sides of the posterior DACwhen the apparatus is installed in the patient's mouth.

In one embodiment according to this aspect of the invention, the firstand second extension wires, the right and left attachment members, andthe palatal archwire can comprise a metal alloy. The metal alloy cancomprise one or more of carbon, chromium, cobalt, manganese, nickel, andstainless steel.

In another embodiment according to this aspect of the invention, each ofthe proximal portions can include a stem member. When installed in apatient's mouth, the stem member of the proximal portion of the firstextension wire can be attached to the right attachment member to securethe apparatus. Similarly, the stem member of the proximal portion of thesecond extension wire can be attached to the left attachment member tosecure the apparatus when the apparatus is installed in the patient'smouth.

In another embodiment according to this aspect of the invention, each ofthe distal portions of extension wires can traverse the upper anteriordentitions and at least some of the posterior dentitions on the oppositeside of the palate. Each of the right and left attachment members can beadapted for attachment to a right clasp member and a left clasp memberand each is manipulatable to apply the corrective de-rotating forceindependently on a molar when the apparatus is installed in thepatient's palate. Each of the right and left clasp members can bemounted to an upper molar on opposite sides of the patient's palate. Thepalatal archwire can be elevated towards a higher portion of the palateof the patient's mouth when the apparatus is installed in the patient'smouth.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a method of applyingcorrective forces to the upper DAC of a patient's palate. The methodincludes providing an orthodontic apparatus, such as the orthodonticapparatus described above, for installation in a patient's mouth,inserting the apparatus into a palate of the patient's mouth, securingthe right attachment member to a first clasp member mounted to an upperright molar, securing the left attachment member to a second claspmember mounted to an upper left molar manipulating each of theattachment members to apply the corrective de-rotating forceindependently on each molar, manipulating the proximal portion of thefirst extension wire to apply a corrective buccal force on the upperright posterior DAC, manipulating the distal portion of the firstextension wire to apply a corrective labial force on at least some upperanterior DAC and selectively a corrective buccal force on at least someupper left posterior DAC, manipulating the proximal portion of thesecond extension wire to apply a corrective buccal force on the upperleft posterior DAC, manipulating the distal portion of the secondextension wire to apply a corrective labial force on at least some upperanterior DAC and selectively a corrective buccal force on at least someupper right posterior DAC, and manipulating the palatal archwire to bedisposed between the first and second extension wires and a horizontalaxis extending through each of the right and left attachment members andto apply a corrective transverse force on the upper DAC.

In one embodiment according to this aspect of the invention, each of thefirst and second extension wires, the right and left attachment members,and the palatal archwire of the orthodontic apparatus comprises a metalalloy. The metal alloy can comprise one or more of carbon, chromium,cobalt, manganese, nickel, and stainless steel.

In another embodiment, each of the proximal portions of the orthodonticapparatus includes a stem member. The step of manipulating the firststem member of the proximal portion of the first extension wire includesclasping it over the right attachment member to secure the apparatus,when the apparatus is in the patient's mouth. The step of manipulatingthe second stem member of the proximal portion of the second extensionwire includes clasping it over the left attachment member to secure theapparatus, when the apparatus is installed in the patient's mouth.

In another embodiment, each of the distal portions of the orthodonticapparatus traverses the upper anterior dentitions and at least some ofthe posterior dentitions on the opposite side of the palate. The palatalarchwire is elevated towards a higher portion of the palate of thepatient's mouth when the apparatus is installed in the patient's mouth.Each of the manipulating steps can be repeated in order to provide adesired amount of corrective force. The middle portion of the palatalarchwire can be elevated towards a higher portion of the palate of thepatient's mouth when the apparatus is installed in the patient's mouth.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a device for shaping apalate. The device includes a pair of attachment members, a pair ofextension wires—each protruding from one of the attachment members—and apalatal archwire spanning the attachment members. Each of the extensionwires has a proximal portion attached to one of the attachment membersas well as a distal portion. Each of the extension wires has a distalend. The attachment members—attached to the proximal portions of theextension wires—are generally held a distance apart from each other bythe palatal archwire that is attached to each of them near its ends,leaving a middle portion spanning the area between the two attachmentmembers. The middle portion of the palatal archwire is formed into threeconsecutive semi-loops that are substantially co-planar and open inalternating directions. The device is configured to be installed in apalate with the pair of attachment members attached to a pair of claspmembers mounted mostly on upper first molar to independently control therotating force inflicted upon the pair of upper first molars. The deviceis configured to be installed in a mouth with the middle portion of thepalatal archwire in the palate—anterior to the attachment members andhigher than the extension wires—to apply transverse force to the DAC.The device is configured to be installed in a patient's mouth with thepair of extension wires anterior to the attachment members with each ofthe proximal portions positioned to apply buccal force to the DAC. Thedevice is configured to be installed in a patient's mouth with thedistal portions of the extension wires traversed behind upper anteriordentitions to apply labial force to DAC and at least partiallyoverlapping the proximal portion of the other extension wire to applysome buccal force to the DAC of the opposite side.

These and other objects, advantages, and features of the invention willbecome apparent through reference to the following description,drawings, and claims. It is noted that aspects of the embodimentsdescribed herein are not mutually exclusive and can exist in variouscombinations and permutations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, like reference characters generally refer to the sameor similar parts throughout the different views. The drawings areintended to illustrate both the details of various embodiments accordingto the invention as well as the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a top view of an embodiment of an orthodontic apparatus beforethe first and second extension wires are manipulated into a desiredconfiguration.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the orthodontic apparatus after the first andsecond extension wires are manipulated into a desired configuration.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the orthodontic apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the orthodontic apparatus after thefirst and second extension wires are manipulated into a desiredconfiguration.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the orthodontic apparatus similar to FIG. 1 butincluding right and left clasp members.

FIG. 6 is a top view of the orthodontic apparatus of FIG. 5 after thefirst and second extension wires are manipulated into a desiredconfiguration.

FIG. 7 is a top view of the right and left clasp members mounted onopposed molars in a patient's mouth.

FIG. 8 is a top view of the orthodontic apparatus after the orthodonticapparatus has been installed into the patient's mouth.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In general, the invention relates to orthodontic devices and methods forapplying corrective forces in three dimensions: transverse, buccal, andlabial, to shape the palate within a patient's mouth.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, in one embodiment according tothe invention, an orthodontic apparatus 100 includes a first extensionwire 102, a second extension wire 104, and a palatal archwire 106. Thefirst extension wire 102 includes a proximal portion 102A and a distalportion 102B.

The proximal portion 102A of the first extension wire 102 extends from aright attachment member 108. The distal portion 102B of the firstextension wire 102 extends from the proximal portion 102A and terminatesat a distal end 102C. The second extension wire 104 includes a proximalportion 104A and a distal portion 104B. The proximal portion 104A of theextension wire 104 extends from a left attachment member 110. The distalportion 104B of the second extension wire 104 extends from the proximalportion 104A and terminates at a distal end 104C.

The first extension wire 102 and the second extension wire 104 aremanipulatable such that each of the proximal portions 102A, 104A and thedistal portions 102B, 104B are configured to apply corrective buccal andlabial forces on DAC and teeth (not shown in Figures) when the apparatus100 is installed in a patient's mouth. These corrective forces can beadjusted to rotate, torque, or angle the molars. For example, the distalportion 104B of the second extension wire 104 can be manipulated tooverlap over the distal portion 102B and over some of the proximalportion 102A of the first extension wire 102. The precise shape chosenfor the distal portions 102B and 104B will vary to suit a particularapplication.

The palatal archwire 106 includes a right portion 112, a middle portion114, and a left portion 116. The right portion 112 extends from theright attachment member 108 to the right side of the middle portion 114.The left portion 116 extends from the left attachment member 110 andextends to the left side of the middle portion 114. The middle portion114 includes a right loop 118, a middle bend 120, and a left loop 122.The middle portion 114 can be configured in a variety of configurations.In one embodiment, the middle portion 114 has a generally M-shapedconfiguration and each of the right loop 118 and the left loop 122includes a generally inverted U-shaped configuration. The middle loop120 includes a generally inverted Ω-shaped configuration.

The middle portion 114 is disposed between: the first extension wire102; the second extension wire 104; and a horizontal axis extendingthrough the right attachment member 108 and the left attachment member110. Accordingly, the apparatus of the invention comprises a middleportion 114 an extension wire 102, and an extension wire 104, which—whenthe apparatus is installed in a patient's mouth—are each locatedanterior to both right attachment member 108 and left attachment member110.

In operation, the middle portion 114 is disposed within a higher portionof the patient's palate when the apparatus 100 is installed in apatient's mouth. The palatal archwire 106 is manipulatable andconfigured to apply corrective transverse force on the upper DAC whenthe apparatus 100 is installed in a patient's mouth. These correctiveforces can be adjusted unilaterally or bilaterally to rotate, torque, orangle the molars. In accordance with the invention, thethree-dimensional corrective force on the patient's DAC and molarsresults in correction of the shape of the patient's palate.

Each of the first extension wire 102, the second extension wire 104, theright attachment member 108, the left attachment member 110, and thepalatal archwire 106 can be formed from a metal alloy. The metal alloycan comprise one or more of carbon, chromium, manganese, nickel, andstainless steel. The material chosen for the apparatus 100 will vary tosuit a particular application.

The apparatus 100 also includes a first stem member 124 and a secondstem member 126. The first stem member 124 is disposed on the proximalportion 102A of the first extension wire 102. The second stem member 126is disposed on the proximal portion 104A of the second extension wire104. Each of the first stem member 124 and the second stem member 126 isconfigured to secure the first attachment member 108 and the secondattachment member 110 when the apparatus 100 is installed in a patient'spalate.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the apparatus 100 also includes a rightclasp member 300 and a left clasp member 302, and the clasp members aremounted onto the palatal side of preferably orthodontic molar bands.Each of the right clasp member 300 and the left clasp member 302 isadapted for attachment to the right attachment member 108 and the leftattachment member 110. In operation, the right clasp member 300 isattached to an upper right first molar 200 and the left clasp member 302is attached to an upper left first molar 202.

In one embodiment, after clasp member 300 and clasp member 302 areattached, apparatus 100 is then inserted into the palate of a patient'smouth. The right attachment member 108 is inserted into right claspmember 300, and the right stem member 124 is manipulated over the rightattachment member 108 to lock. The left attachment member 110 isinserted into left clasp member 302, and the left stem member 126 ismanipulated over the left attachment member 110 to lock. Each of theattachment members 108 and 110 can be manipulated to apply thecorrective de-rotating force independently on each first molar 200 and202.

By inserting right attachment member 108 into the right clasp member 300around to upper first molar 200, the proximal portion 102A of the firstextension wire 102 can be manipulated to apply corrective buccal forceon the upper right posterior DAC of teeth 200, 204, and 206, andselectively right second molar 226.

By inserting left attachment member 110 into the left clasp member 302around the upper left molar 202, the proximal portion 104A of the secondextension wire 104 can be manipulated to apply corrective buccal forceon the upper left posterior DAC of teeth 220, 222, and 202 andselectively left second molar 228.

The distal portion 102B of the first extension wire 102 can bemanipulated to apply corrective labial force on the DAC of at least someof upper anterior dentitions 208, 210, 212, 214, and 216, and someselective corrective buccal force on teeth 218, 220, and 222. The distalportion 104B of the second extension wire 104 can be manipulated toapply corrective labial force on the DAC of at least some of upperanterior dentitions 210, 212, 214, 216, and 218; some selectivecorrective buccal force on teeth 208, 206, and 204.

In one embodiment of the invention, the overlapping area of distalportion 102B and distal portion 104B, when the apparatus is installed ina patient's mouth, wraps around the patient's mouth such that theoverlapping area is behind teeth 206, 208, 210, 212, 214, 216, 218, and220; selectively behind teeth 204 and 222.

In one embodiment of the invention, an operator may manipulate distalportion 102B and distal portion 104B to finely customize the correctivelabial and buccal forces that those portions apply to the DAC. By havinga highly customizable distal portion 102B and distal portion 104B, theapparatus provides the advantageous result of allowing an operator toprovide finely-controlled and differential amounts of labial and buccalforces, precisely positioned, on individual teeth or areas of the DAC,in a patient's mouth, resulting in achieving the desired morphologicalanatomical structure precisely, quickly, painlessly, and efficiently.

When the apparatus is installed in a patient's mouth, some of distalportion 102B overlaps with some of proximal portion 104A, and some ofdistal portion 104B overlaps with some of proximal portion 102A.Accordingly, when the apparatus is installed in a patient's mouth,distal end 102C lies adjacent to proximal portion 104A, and distal end104C lies adjacent to proximal portion 102A.

An operator of the apparatus may manipulate the palatal archwire 106 tobe disposed between: the first extension wire 102; the second extensionwire 104; and a horizontal axis extending through right attachmentmember 300 and left attachment member 302. In this disposition, palatalarchwire 106 can be employed to apply corrective transverse force oneither or both of the DAC of upper molars 200 and 202 and thus correctthe shape of the patent's palate.

The device can be configured so that, if it is installed in a patient'smouth, each of the pair of attachment members attach to one of a pair ofclasp members. As illustrated in FIG. 7, each of the clasp members 300and 302 can be attached mostly to upper first molars 200 and 202 on thepalatal sides of the mouth. As pictured in FIG. 8, the device can beconfigured to be attached to clasp members 300 and 302.

The device is configured so that, if it is installed in a patient'smouth, the middle portion 114 of palatal archwire 106 and both of theextension wires 102 and 104 protrude in the anterior direction from theattachment members, as illustrated in FIG. 6. As illustrated in FIG. 2,if the device is installed in a patient's mouth, the middle portion ofthe palatal archwire is within the boundary demarcated by: proximalportion 102A; the overlapping distal portions 102B and 104B; proximalportion 104B; the axis protruding through the two attachment members 108and 110. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the middle portion of the palatalarchwire is higher than the extension wires so that it will bepositioned in the patient's palate. An operator may advantageouslyemploy this aspect of this configuration of the invention to causebilateral or unilateral transverse force to be applied to the DAC.

The invention of the present disclosure provides a novel apparatus andmethod of treatment to: increases the dental arch parameter by shapingthe patient's palate into a morphologically corresponding geometry ofhuman mouth; independently rotate, torque, apply transverse, buccal andlabial forces to the upper anterior and upper posterior regions of theDAC; shape the alveolar processes; and shape the palatine processes.Aspects of the apparatus function to move teeth as a single unit of thedento-alveolar complex and increase the parameter of the dental arch.Operation and use of the apparatus has little or no effect on themid-palatine suture, and results in little or no anatomical disruptionbetween the oral and nasal cavities By supplying these functions in asingle apparatus, the apparatus provides the advantageous result ofallowing an operator to provide finely controlled and differentialamounts of transverse, buccal, and labial force, precisely positioned,on individual teeth or areas of the DAC, in a patient's mouth, resultingin achieving the desired geometric configuration of morphologicanatomical structure precisely, quickly, painlessly, and efficiently.

Various modifications may be made to the embodiments disclosed herein.The disclosed embodiments and details should not be construed aslimiting but instead as illustrative of some embodiments and theprinciples of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for applying corrective forces toshape a palate of a patient, the apparatus comprising: a first supportmember; a second support member; and a palatal archwire, an end of whichis directly or indirectly connected to the first support member andanother end of which is directly or indirectly connected to the secondsupport member, wherein at least a portion of the first support memberand at least a portion of the second support member are overlapped witheach other, and wherein the palatal archwire includes a first loop, asecond loop, and a middle loop between the first loop and the secondloops, the middle loop being oriented toward a position where at least aportion of the first support member and at least a portion of the secondsupport member are overlapped with each other, and the first and secondloops being oriented in a direction opposite the direction the secondloop is oriented to.